NPP rigged Ablekuma Central by-election Inusah
Rawlings inspects rubbish dumps in Kumasi
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 20 November 2000
Mr. Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, NPP Member of Parliament for Old Tafo/Sumame, on Thursday alleged that one fifth of every foreign loan contracted by the government goes into private pockets.
He said Ghana's external debt, which stood at 800 million dollars at the time of the 31st December 1982 revolution, now stands at 7 billion dollars.
This is contrary to the pledge by President Rawlings in 1982, that he was going to wipe out the debt, Mr Mensah-Bonsu told a rally at Adum in the Subin constituency in Kumasi.
He expressed concern about the amount of money spent on fuel by President Rawlings, Vice President Professor Atta Mills and their large campaign team and said it could be channelled into solving some of the problems facing the country.
An NPP government, he said would pay cocoa farmers 65 per cent of the world market price and keep 10 per cent of the remaining amount in a pension scheme for them.
Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, MP for Manhyia and Minority Spokesman for Health, said an NPP government would abolish overseas treatment for Ministers and other top officials explaining that a system would be worked out to replace it.
He said when voted into power, the NPP would create jobs for the youth by reactivating all abandoned factories and ensure that value is added to gold before export.
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Ho (Volta Region) 20 November 2000
The National Democratic Congress
(NDC) will face a difficult task in the presidential and parliamentary polls in
the Volta Region this year, Togbe Kwao Anipati the fourth, Paramount Chief of
the Mepe traditional area, has predicted.
"This election is not going
to be easy for you," he told Mr. Kwasi Aboagye, Deputy Volta Regional
Minister, at a meeting of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs at Ho, on
Wednesday.
Togbe Anipati said the government
had failed to fulfil its promise to the Regional House of Chiefs before the
1996 elections that the region would be the focus of development programme when
its mandate was renewed.
He cited the road sector as an
important area where development is lacking.
Mr Aboagye disagreed with Togbe
Anipati, saying that the region has much to show in development, especially in
the education, health, electrification and telecommunication and water sectors.
He said but for the poor
performance of the contractor, work on the Sogakope-Fume road linking Adidome,
Adaklu and Ho, through to Dzolokpuita to Amedzofe would have reached an
advanced stage by now.
" That contractor is our own
son, but he was difficult", Mr Aboagye said.
Mr Aboagye said work on the
Kpando-Dambai road being constructed by Bilfinger has also reached the
outskirts of Nkonya-Wurupong and is progressing steadily.
He said the difficulty in
attracting foreign funding for road projects in the region was a major problem
in the past.
Mr Aboagye assured however, that
much has been done to rectify the situation leading to the presence of a number
of foreign road contractors in the region now.
Dr.Alexander Ababio, Member of
Parliament for South-Dayi and Chairman of the Volta Region Parliamentary Caucus
said chiefs constitute a great political force in the country by their status
and responsibilities.
He said at the same time their
position dictates that they should remain above partisan politics without being
apathetic to the direction of political activities in the country.
Dr. Ababio proposed the
establishment of a forum for both the Regional House of Chiefs and the region's
parliamentary Caucus to meet regularly to deliberate on issues that will
promote development.
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Techiman (Brong Ahafo) 20 November 2000
Alhaji Mahama Alui, vice presidential candidate of the NPP, has said a government of the party would ensure equitable distribution of national resources and create opportunities for people to utilise their talents in a positive way.
Alhaji Aliu noted that the country is for all Ghanaians, but the divisive tendencies of the NDC government has polarised the populace into "have and have-nots".
"If you don't belong to the NDC, you are denied what is due you in some circles for the socio-economic landscape''.
The NPP presidential running mate was speaking at the party's Brong Ahafo regional rally at Techiman on Saturday.
"The lop-sided distribution of the national cake has created economic imbalances in the society, which is undermining social justice as a divine right of the people," Alhaji Aliu said.
The situation, coupled with the electioneering climate has created tension in the country and called on the electorate to vote overwhelmingly for the NPP, which would "nib the politics of partiality, favouritism and nepotism in the bud.
Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, candidate for Offinso-North, said poverty, misery and starvation suffered by most Ghanaians are the result of what he called "misgovernance" by the NDC government adding lack of job opportunities is the result of bad economic policies, he added.
Dr Apraku, who is the Minority Spokesman on Finance, said the situation could be remedied if the electorates vote for the NPP.
Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, National Campaign Manager, Miss Amma Busia, First Vice Chairperson, Captain Nkrabea Effa Dartey (rtd), candidate for Berekum, Miss Anna Nyamekye, who is contesting for the Jaman seat and Alhaji Moctar Musah Bamba, MP for Wenchi East, also addressed the rally.
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Cape Coast (Central Region) 20 November 2000
Alhaji Isaaka Inusah, former campaign manager of Mr J. A. Kuffuor, presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Saturday said the party rigged the bye-election at the Ablekuma Central Constituency last year.
He said the party recruited some people dressed them like Electoral Commission officials, coached to confuse the EC officials and voted several times.
Alhaji Inusah, now a staunch member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) disclosed this at a rally in Cape Coast.
He said a rigging team procured extra ballot papers for a large number of NPP members, which enabled them to vote more than once.
"They were all given two ballot papers each. Hence the NPP won by more than 5,000 votes," he said.
The Ablekuma Central seat became vacant when the MP, Mr J. C. Crabbe, died after a short illness.
Alhaji Inusah said that he was called to bail some of the boys who were arrested, adding that the NPP is playing a double game.
"This they do by screaming repeatedly that elections are being or will be rigged, while they do just that," he said. "I know what I am saying because I was in the centre of it".
He said: "there is a vast difference in the two parties - NPP and NDC."
Alhaji Inusah said he was not saying this for any favour - "I think that the nation needs to know the truth and the harm that the NPP has caused this country and might cause if voted into office."
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"We will call for public disobedience
if..." Darko
Accra (Greater Accra) 20 November 2000
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate for Ga North, Mr S. O. Darko, on Sunday said the party would call for national disobedience "if the election is not free and fair".
"We are for peace but when we speak, then they are for war", Mr Darko declared at a forum organised by the Queen of Peace Catholic Church at Madina in Accra.
The forum was to enable the six candidates for the constituency to explain their policies and programmes to the electorate.
Mr Darko, who is the incumbent said the party's decision to collate its own results is to enable it to ascertain the true election results as would be declared by the Electoral Commission.
"If the results should prove otherwise then we would call for the Ivorian type of people's power," he said.
On the District Assembly Common Fund, Mr Darko said the Local Government Act makes the MP redundant in his or her constituency, "as the development of the district is the responsibility of District Chief Executive (DCE)".
He said the situation where the MP is not directly involved in the provision of amenities has rather created more problems and called for the abolishing of the MP's share of the common fund.
Mr Darko mention communities such as Tafia, Abokobi, Dome and New Achimota and the Madina Estate JSS as some of the beneficiaries of his share of the fund.
Mr Ibrahim Holison of the National Reform Party (NRP) said a government of the party and the community would collectively address problems.
He said the NRP would organise the youth and strengthen existing institutions to perform for the benefit of all irrespective of party affiliation.
The candidate urged the electorate to discard the notion that development and other social responsibilities is the preserve of the government.
Mr Holison advocated an increment in the MP's share of the Common Fund to enable the "people's representative" undertake more development projects to enhance the living standard of the people.
Mr Charles Aseidu of the CPP said the manifesto of the party is based on unity for community-initiated development.
He said resources would be shared equally for the enhancement of living conditions.
Mr Daniel Azumah of the PNC said the common fund is a political weapon of the ruling government and said the party would streamline its operations to benefit all communities.
The candidates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and United Ghana Movement (UGM) failed to attend while Mr Darko left halfway to the displeasure of the audience.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 20 November 2000
The Electricity Company of Ghana said on Sunday that measures are underway to arrest the recent power outages that have hit certain parts of Accra.
In a statement, Mr Kwamena Longdon, Public Relations Manager, explained that the outages are the result of a refurbishment works at its main substation at Achimota. It assured customers and the public that supplies would improve after the work has been completed.
To boost power supply, the statement said ECG's two power transformers at the industrial area substation are being upgraded and will be put into service by Monday.
The company will also commission a newly constructed high tension transmission line from Achimota Station to its primary substation at the North Industrial Area before the end of November.
The statement further said twelve out of 18 underground cable faults detected at the beginning of November have been repaired and work on the remaining six will be completed this month. Certain parts of Accra have of late been experiencing power interruptions during the evenings.
Areas like Dansoman, Abeka, Achimota, Dome, Taifa and surrounding vicinities have been going through rotational load shedding for the past five weeks.
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Cape Coast (Central Region) 20 November 2000
President Jerry Rawlings on Saturday said the ability of the National Media Commission (NMC) to adjudicate media conduct is disappointing, expressing regret that the commission has not brought order into the conduct of media practitioners.
Many people have made serious libellous statements and told lies about others on radio especially and got away with it even though the Media Commission is supposed to check these things, the President said.
"This must not be allowed to happen as it has the potential of bringing misunderstanding and chaos to our peaceful country," he said.
President Rawlings was speaking at a rally of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Cape Coast to end a four-day campaign tour by Vice President John Evans Atta Mills, presidential candidate of the party.
President Rawlings described the NMC as "the most disappointing and disgraceful institution since the inception of political party democracy in the country."
He said the members should change their attitude and ensure that everybody who abuses the freedom democracy offers is brought to book.
President Rawlings referred to the incident at a FM Station at Berekum in the Brong Ahafo Region and urged the commission to take swift action to restore order on the airwaves to ensure peace.
The Brong Ahafo authorities closed down the station after an alleged statement by a parliamentary candidate caused a free-for-all-fight that led to serious injuries to NDC members.
"We will ensure that all those involved in that incident are prosecuted," President Rawlings said, noting that he would push for a change in the constitution that will ensure respect for high office holders.
He commended the action of the Regional Security Council in closing down the station saying it was the right step.
He said the liberalisation of the airwaves and the media in general must not be a licence to disrupt the country's young democracy.
President Rawlings said Ghana is a shining example of development and progress in Africa and must be encouraged to make a greater impact.
He described the decision of Captain Nkreabea Effah-Dartey, the NPP candidate for Berekum, to defend Corporal Foday Sankoh, the Sierra Leone rebel leader as a disgrace to Ghana.
"How can anyone in his right frame of mind choose to defend someone who wilfully killed and maimed babies, children, women and his own men?" he asked. "It was a good decision we took to dismiss him from the army," the President said.
President Rawlings said Ghana is going through hard times, "but so is the whole world".
"We are doing our best to move out of the situation. I have given my life to this nation and will not sit by to see people destroy the yardage we have gained over the 20 year period".
He said: "the NDC is not here to play deceptive politics as is the stock in trade of the opposition. Ghana has fallen down too often at the hands of the opposition and we must not allow this to happen again".
He thanked Ghanaians for standing by him over the years and asked them to return the NDC to power by not less than 67 per cent of the votes in the December elections.
Mr Martin Amidu, the presidential running mate, said the NDC is not anti-workers as claimed by the opposition.
"Rather it was the United Party, where the NPP draws its roots and support, that banned the Trades Union Congress. This country has it on record."
On members of the party who are contesting as independent candidates, Mr Amidu said it was impossible for such a trend to be allowed.
"No independent candidate should say he is an NDC member...You have to be under the party and its rules to belong to it."
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Hohoe (Volta Region) 20 November 2000
Mr Martin Amidu, National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential running mate, has appealed to chiefs, clergy and other opinion leaders to lead the campaign for peace before, during and after next month's election.
He said this is necessary because "nobody would be spared in the event of civil disorder".
Speaking at separate meetings with chiefs, clergy and other opinion leaders at Kadjebi, Jasikan, Hohoe and Kpando during a two-day tour of the northern sector of the Volta Region, Mr Amidu noted that it is the obligation of everyone to prevent the country from sliding into a state of anarchy like in some countries of the sub-region, which Ghana has sacrificed to help restore peace and order.
He later laid the foundation stone for a 30 million-cedi computer centre for the Have Technical Institute in the Hohoe District.
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Techiman (Brong Ahafo) 20 November 2000
Mr John Agyekum Kufour, flagbearer of the NPP, said on Saturday that a government of the party would promote reconciliation.
He said his choice of Alhaji Mahama Aliu, as running mate is a manifestation of NPP's commitment to reconciliation, which is necessary for socio-economic and political development.
To support his point, he noted that he is a Christian coming from the forest zone while Alhaji Aliu is a Moslem from the savannah zone.
Addressing the Brong Ahafo Regional rally of the party at Techiman, he said Ghana needs reconciliation "to heal the wounds within the rank and file of the populace".
He noted that the 18 years of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and National Democratic Congress rule has not been the best for Ghanaians.
Mr Kufour assured Ghanaians that "with divine wisdom, direction and humility," his government would create a prosperous nation where the people would live in peace, unity and freedom.
He asked the people to reject gifts by the NDC and to give their mandate to NPP because "good governance is not determined by gifts, but by creating wealth for the people and keeping faith with them".
Mr Kufour introduced the party's parliamentary candidates in the region, including Mr Prince Oduro-Mensah, who is vying for the Techiman South seat.
Mr Oduro-Mensah said, "the NDC is doing politics with the provision of electricity, potable water and other social amenities".
It is irrelevant to claim credit for the provision of such facilities because that is part of the primary responsibilities of a government to the people, he said.
The aspiring MP, who is the heir apparent of the Kurontire Stool of the Techiman Traditional Area, said "my vow is not to give the people vain promises but to serve them with love and dedication, taking the service as my duty to the community as the future Kurontihene".
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Tema (Greater Accra) 20 November 2000
Mr Justice E. K. Jones-Mensah, CPP parliamentary candidate for Tema West, has told Ghanaians not to be influenced by nepotism but by competence in seeking a change for political leadership and direction for the country.
They should therefore vote for a CPP government, which is reputed to be the best government Ghana has ever had in terms of providing infrastructural and human development.
He therefore, called on voters to choose Professor George Hagan, the CPP presidential candidate, who he described as the best material for leadership in terms of learning and honesty.
Mr Jones-Mensah, also a former High Court Judge, told a CPP rally at Community 18, Tema, on Saturday that the party has men of integrity who are prepared to sacrifice their time, energy and resources to serve the people of this country, adding that he would devote 90 per cent of his time to seeking their interest.
"You are above the government because you choose the government and any change in leadership and direction rests with you," Mr Jones-Mensah said.
Mr Mohammed Tijani, Tema West CPP Campaign Director, re-called the dismissal of workers under the guise of divestiture, saying Mr Jones-Mensah helped them win their case and compel government to pay them their entitlements.
He cited the case at ex-Tema Food Complex Corporation (TFCC) in which the government paid about four billion cedis to the ex-workers, adding that Mr Jones-Mensah, as a workers' lawyer, would fight to change outmoded labour laws when elected to parliament.
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Tema (Greater Accra) 20 November 2000
Members of the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) were on Saturday advised against assuming the role of peacemakers at polling stations.
Dr. Baffour Agyeman-Duah, Associate Executive Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development, who gave the advice, stated that the observer's role is to ensure that the electoral process goes on smoothly.
Addressing 100 members of the CODEO drawn from various civil organisations and non-governmental organisations in the Tema Municipality at a day's workshop on "The Election Procedure" at Tema, Dr. Agyeman-Duah explained that the presence of local observers provides a sense of confidence to the public.
They should therefore not act as policemen since they are there to check irregularities such as double voting, fraud and rigging.
He told them that where a situation is beyond their control, it should quickly be referred to officials of the Electoral Commission (EC).
Dr. Agyeman-Duah said in order to be sure of a successful election all observers should be present at the polling stations as early as 6.30 a.m..
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Winneba (Central Region) 20 November 2000
The NDC parliamentary candidate for Awutu/Senya, Mrs Hanna Serwaah Tetteh-Kpodar, has promised to establish an education trust fund to cater for children in the Awutu and
Senya-Beraku traditional areas if voted to power.
She repeated her resolve to focus on girl-child education to enable girls to become functional and more useful to society.
Mrs Tetteh-Kpodar was outlining her objectives on a Radio Peace programme for parliamentary candidates in the Central Region at Winneba on Friday.
The NDC candidate said she would lobby for financial and other assistance from the central government, local and external donor agencies as well as non-governmental organisations to strengthen the base of the education fund.
Mrs Tetteh-Kpodar identified lack of storage facilities as a major contributory factor to perpetual poverty among the people of the area, who are predominantly farmers and fishermen.
To eradicate this unbearable phenomenon the people, she said she plans to construct adequate mini-silos in the Awutu Traditional Area.
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Kumasi (Greater Accra) 20 November 2000
President Jerry John Rawlings on Saturday inspected some rubbish dumps in Kumasi to check on how far the authorities have gone with a programme to rid the once Garden City of refuse.
The President, on his way to Nsoatre in the Brong Ahafo Region to attend the funeral of Obrempong Hinneh Akwasi, Paramount Chief of Nsoatre Traditional Area, inspected sites at Aboabo, Ashanti New Town and Asafo.
The heaps of rubbish had been cleared with huge containers provided for the residents to deposit their waste.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) launched an exercise to clear heaps of refuse engulfing the city two months ago and appealed to the government for assistance.
Mr Samuel Nuamah-Donkoh, Ashanti Regional Minister said President Rawlings directed that KMA should be assisted to clear the refuse to prevent an outbreak of an epidemic.
Mr Nuamah-Donkoh said a private company, which was contracted to do the job has cleared 135,000 tonnes of refuse over the past two months at a cost of 10 billion cedis.
A total of 11 huge refuse containers have been placed at Subin, 23 at Manhyia, 19 at Bantama and 9 at Asokwa.
An official of the KMA told the Ghana News Agency that the President's timely intervention has saved the city from an "obvious outbreak of epidemic".
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